Biden Administration May Approve Phasing Out Of Diesel Trucks In California: Report

The Joe Biden-administration is reportedly expected to greenlight California's latest regulations aimed at reducing tailpipe emissions and eliminating the sale of trucks that run on diesel fuel.

What Happened: According to three individuals briefed on the matter, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, intends to let California implement tougher environmental rules that have received the approval of state regulators, reported The Washington Post.

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The Clean Air Act allows California to seek an exemption from the preemption that prohibits states from enacting emission regulations for new motor vehicles. However, the EPA must grant a waiver for the rules to be enforced.

Under its new policies, California introduced stricter pollution limits for heavy-duty vehicles beginning with the 2024 model year. Truck manufacturers will have to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission trucks, buses and vans annually to touch a portfolio of only all-electric or hydrogen fuel-cell trucks by 2045. California also proposed extension of the warranty period on trucks' emissions controls, the report stated.

Six other states — New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and Vermont — have already committed to follow California's zero-emission truck mandate. With an exception of New Jersey, the other five states have also committed to following California’s pollution standards, the report said.

Why It’s Important: The air quality in California could see a significant improvement with the implementation of new policies. According to the report, heavy-duty trucks are hugely responsible for the pollution from diesel fuel. Environmental advocates have been urging regulators to tighten pollution limits on these trucks for a long time as their emissions affect the air quality.

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